The eight-team MLB playoffs begin today. Columnist Mark Whicker breaks down the eight-team field - and predicts who will win the 2010 World Series. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
YANKEES: They've had poor Septembers before and rolled through October, but can the Yankees striaghten out their pitching? Even Mariano Rivera (pictured) got touched up three times last month. Andy Pettitte's comeback puts him between CC Sabathia and Philip Hughes in the rotation. The Yanks were sixth in A.L. ERA. Someone like Joba Chambelain or Kerry Wood might have to find some magic. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER,
YANKEES: They did lead the A.L. with 859 runs thanks to a superlative season by Robinson Cano (pictured), and they were No. 1 in on-base percentage. But their .472 home slugging percentage dipped by 70 points on the road. Derek Jeter had an off year, but nine different Yankees had 10 or more homers, and watch out for Marcus Thames. They're still the champs but they face a stiff challenge from Minnesota. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO, KATHY WILLENS
TWINS: Here it is, hit it. The Twins walked 69 fewer batters than any other A.L. staff and they suvived the season-long absence of closer Joe Nathan. Francisco Liriano (pictured) and Carl Pavano lead the rotation, and six different pitchers had 10 or more victories, with Brian Duensing going 10-3. Liriano and Pavano did struggle in September, however. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO, PAUL SANCYA
TWINS: Last decade, Minnesota was 0-3 in Division Series against the Yankees but now has homefield advantage, and Target Field is not a power ballpark. Without Justin Morenau the Twins were ninth in homers and fifth in runs, and Joe Mauer Ipictured) played like an MVP in the second half. Jim Thome clubbed 25 homers in 276 at-bats and Delmon Young drove in 112 runs. The Twins have their best chance to beat the Yanks this time. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO
RAYS: This staff led the A.L. in strikeouts, lowest on-base percentage and WHIP, but was 9th in slugging percentage and had to deal with some slumping starters, aside from David Price (pictured). Jeff Niemann's ERA rose by almost two runs after June 8, Matt Garza had one victory over Sept. 3 and James Shields was quite hittable. Rafael Soriano did lead the A.L. in saves and Joaquin Benoit wss a lights-out setup man. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER,
RAYS: It was breezy in Tropicana Field. The Rays fanned 108 more times than anyone else in the A.L. But since they also led in walks and steals they wound up third in runs. Evan Longoria (pictured) drove in 104 runs and Carl Crawford was dynamic. Ben Zobrist fell off his '09 form, and Carlos Pena, despite his 28 homers, hit .196 with 158 strikeouts. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER,
RANGERS: Texas was the league's best batting team, with Vlad Guerrero (pictured) joining batting champ Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and franchise hits leader Michael Young. But the Rangers had a more diverse offense than usual, ranking fifth in steals and 11th in strikeouts. This is a deep, athletic team that has a great shot to knock off the Rays for its first-ever playoff series victory. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO
RANGERS: Texas pitchers defied the experts by holding up throughout the hot summer, with the A.L.'s third-best ERA. Closer Neftali Perez (pictured) had 40 savs in 43 chances, with Darren Oliver and Darren O'Day setting him up. Lefties Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson will have to handle the Rays on the road, and Colby Lewis is the Game 3 starter. All pitched over 200 innings. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER,
PHILLIES: It's difficult to remember a more formidable postseason rotation than Harry Leroy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels (pcitured). Halladay was 8-2 since July 23, Oswalt was 7-1 since he was traded from Hosuton, and Hemels won five consecuive decisions down the stretch. But how is the bullpen? Well, Brad Lidge was 9-for-9 in September. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO, MATT SLOCUM
PHILLIES: Ryan Howard missed 19 games, Chase Utley (pictured) 47 and Jimmy Rollins 74, but the Phillies still scored more runs than any N.L. club outside Denver. Catcher Carlos Ruiz (.847 OPS) might be the most underrated player in baseball. Placido Polanco also added consistency and Shane Victorino stole 34 bases. Power, speed, pitching - it will be a major upset if the Phillies don't win the World Series. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO, LYNNE SLADKY
REDS: A rotation of Edinson Volquez, Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto carries the Reds into a Division Series matchup with Philadelphia. The Reds were 7th in run prevention and ERA, but if Dusty Baker moves Homer Bailey into the bullpen alongside sensational Aroldis Chapman (pictured) as setup men for Francisco Cordero, the Reds could shorten some games. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO, TOM UHLMAN
REDS: Probable MVP Joey Votto (pictured) and ex-Phil Scott Rolen are the muscles for a diversified and athletic offense. The Reds led the league in batting average and slugging, and they have table-setters Orlando Cabrera and Brandon Phillips along with homer-seeking Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce. The Reds will push the Phillies before losing. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER,
GIANTS: Tim Lincecum (pictured), Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and rookie Madison Bumgarner give the Giants a rotation that should keep the games close, at least, and Brian Wilson is as hot a closer as there is. Giants pitchers led the league in batting average-against and ERA, but they don't hold runners or throw that many strikes. A key is setup man Santiago Casilla (1.95 ERA). BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO, ERIC RISBERG
GIANTS: The Giants needed an offensive leader and Aubrey Huff became one. But they grounded into 22 more DPs than anyone else in the league and were ninth in runs. A return to form by Pablo Sandoval could be crucial. They will have a very rough time scoring off Atlanta's bullpen. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO, ED ANDRIESKI
BRAVES: Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe and Tommy Hanson will carry the rotation but the Braves' real strength is the bullpen. In his final year Billy Wagner (pictured) struck out 104 in 69 and one-third innings as the closer, and setup men Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel were brilliant. The Braves gave up a league-low 126 home runs. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO, KATHY KMONIZEK
BRAVES: Jason Heyward (pictured) and Brian McCann will bear the load of an offense that doesn't have Chipper Jones, Martin Prado or Troy Glaus. But the Braves easily led the league in walks and also led in doubles and on-base percentage. A useful clutch hitter was rookie Brooks Conrad. Atlanta also was the best home team in baseball. BY MARK WHICKER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, AP PHOTO, JOHN BAZEMORE

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